Centrifugal ore-separator.



PATENTED OUT. 24, 1905.

W. H. PEUK. GENTRIFUGAL ORE SEPABATOR.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 14,1904.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

PATENTED OUT. 24, 1905.

W. H. PEGK.

GENTRIFUGAL ORE SEPARATOR.

3 SHEBTS-SHEET 2.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 14,1904.

PATENTED 001124, 1905.

W. H. PEOK. UBNTRIFUGAL ORE SEPARATOR.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 14,1904.

3 SHEETS-4$HBET 3.

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tnarr n VVILBUR l-l. PEOK, OF CHICAGO, ILLlNO ITCE.

clei'nlenem. ORE-SEPAWATOH" Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 24, 1905.

Application filed November 14:, 1904. Serial No. 232,673.

.l'0 (LI/Z. whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILBUR H. Pnox, a citizen of the United States, residing at 1003 Monroe street, Chicago, Illinois, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Centrifugal Ore-Separators, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates more particularly to centrifugal separators for separation of ores or similar materials or different degrees of specific gravity, while in a pulverized state and mixed with water, of the class having an outer rotatable portion or vessel with a separating surface or area on its inner wall and a differentially-rotatable longitudinally-travelable inner portion or core, the two together forming a separating-channel variable in size and which separator in its operation alternately accumulates a charge or load of concentrates or of concentrates and middlings and then discharges them; and my invention consists in the features and details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is principally a vertical central section of my improved separator, showing, however, part of the deflector and some other portions in elevation. Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional detail of a portion of the lower end of the wall of the deflector with its lower plate omitted, showing float-valve,

mechanism in one of the water-passages of the deflector-wall. Fig. 3 is similar to Fig. 2, but on somewhat smaller scale, and showing a modified form of valve or stopper mechanism for the said passages. Fig. 4: is a plan and cross-section of Fig. 1 on line 4: looking in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail elevation of a part of the outside of the separator, as would be seen from line 5, Fig. 4, looking in the direction of the arrow, especially showing some of the automatic mechanism for the brake. The worm-shaft traveling mechanism has been omitted. Fig. 6 is an enlarged elevation of Fig. 5 looking from left to right, but with the worm-sl1aft-adjusting mechanism omitted and certain springs hereinafter designated by 64. in Fig. t and parts 65, carrying them, omitted. Fig. 7 is a central plan section of the hydraulic cylinder, showing its piston head and rod and some connected parts in elevation.

in making my improved centrifugal separator I provide a rotatable portion or sepa- 1 rating vessel (4, which I will term a treat ment vessel and which I prefer to locate in a vertical position and to have in the form of a tapering or cone-shaped tube or shell, having an internal separating surface or area (0', preferably on its inner wall, as especially shown in Figs. 1 and 4:. The treatment vessel is provided with heads or ends I) and 0, having central hollow hubs or trunnions (Z and a, respectively. I also provide a shaft f, extending through the hubs (Z and (2, around which said hubs are rotatably jonrnaled, thus forming bearings for lateral support of the treatment vessel. This shaft is in turn supported laterally by suitable journal-boxes g and it, the top one of which is attached to a casting t' above the upper hub, which is supported by columns 7', that are securely mounted on the base-housing 7:; of the separator.

The lower journal-box it engages the shaft below the lower hub and is secured to the base-housing, as shown. The shaft is mounted in its journal-boxes 7 and h, adapted to be slid or traveled longitudinally, as desired, and is made long enough to extend through such boxes sufficiently, as shown in Fig. 1, to permit of a desired longitudinal travel. It is stepped at its lower end in a suitable box m in a manner so it is substantially maintained therein against relative longitudinal movement to the box either up or down, so by the movement of this box the shaft will be forced with it either up or down as the box may be moved. The box on. is pivotally attached through links a to the forked end of the lever 0, which lever is fulcrumed at p to the base-housing of the separator. The opposite end of the lever is secured by links (1 to an internally-threaded nut 1', which engages a substantial depending rod .9, with its lower end threaded and which is securely and rotatably mounted and well maintained in suitable journal-boxes t. 1

To the rod between its journal-boxes is rigidly mounted a worm-wheel a for rotating the rod. The worm-w heel contacts at its hubs with the inner ends of the journal-boxes, thus maintaining the rod against longitudinal travel. Meshing with the teeth on the wormwheel is a worm o, carried and rotated by an adequate suitably-journaled shaft w, which may be rotated in either one direction or the other by the loosely-n1ounted clutch-pulleys 0a and Fig. 4:, which may be driven in op- IS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- charge-nipples 8, as shown in Fig. 1.

posite directions by belts running in .that manner, only one of which, 2, is shown in Fig. 1, so that by movement of the lever 2 the clutch 3 will be brought into engagement with either one or the other of said pulleys. The threaded rod will be revolved in either direction desired, thus forcing the nut 9 up or down and rocking the lever 0 correspondingly and eflecting a desired longitudinal movement or travel of the shaft f.

The base-housing of the separator is provided with two spirally-inclined troughs or compartments 4L and 5, as shown in Fig. 1, terminating in a two-compartment spout 6, more clearly shown in Fig. 5, which serves to catch the water and material discharged from the treatment vessel and flow from the separator,

The weight of the treatment vessel is preferably carried by a roller-bearing 7, on which the lower end of the hub e is seated and which bearing is mounted on the upper end of the journal-box it. I

The lower end of the vessel is preferably somewhat enlarged diametrically fora short distance of its length, as shown in Fig. 1, making an annular recess or chamber. It is provided with a row of nipples 8 around the circumference of the enlargement, which nipples are provided with small openings 9 for the discharge of material and water from the vessel. \Vithin the recess or chamber formed by said enlargement I prefer to provide a suitably-shaped ring 10, containing a series of depressions or pockets; as shown, with large openings at their inner sides and converging to small openings registering with the dis- The object of this recessed or chambered ring is to prevent undue lodgment of material at this point.

WVithin the treatment vessel and to operate in conjunction with it and its separating-surface and to form with such vessel a separating or concentrating channel or passage 11 I provide a diiferentially-rotatable cone or core 12, which I will call a deflector. The channel or passage, one wall of which is formed by the deflector, I will term a separatingchannel. This deflector is preferably hollow, made largely of wood, composing sections or segments suitably shaped and secured together to form a wall of considerable thickness, and is securely fastened to the rim portions of the spiders 13, Which spiders are rigidly mounted on and carried by the shaft f, as particularly shown in Fig. 1, so that in turn the deflector is supported and carried by said shaft 7". The rims of the spiders have holes through them suitably located and of suflicient size to receive the bolts or rods 14, which pass lengthwise through the wall of the deflector and at their ends through the plates 15 and 16, which plates are located on the respective ends of the deflector and serve, to-

gether with the rods, to clamp and assist in rigidly holding the various sections comprising the wall of the deflector together.

The deflector is preferably made of length to extend over substantially all of the separating-surface while it is in position nearest the feed or small end of the treatment vessel and then also to extend a short distance beyond the opposite end of such surface, yet leaving room for its longitudinal travel or reciprocation a distance substantially equivalent to the width of the enlargement or chamber at the discharge end of the vessel.

The outer circumferential walls of the deflector are preferably made smooth and of shape to closely conform to the shape or contour of the separating-surface, but somewhat smaller in diameter, so when the deflector is in position nearest the small or feed end of the treatment vessel there will be a comparatively small annular space or channel around between the separating-surface and the exterior of the deflector above referred to, which space constitutes initially the said separatingchannel.

The plate on the upper end of the deflector has an annular upwardly-extended flange 17 at its inner diameter which serves to prevent material and water from flowing over this edge of the plate and into the hollow of the deflector while the material is being fed for concentration, and the plate is also provided with wings 18,secured to revolve with it, which serve to quickly force the water and material around with the deflector as it is introduced into the treatment vessel.

Upon the upper head of the treatment vessel to revolve with it is situated a materialfeed receptacle or chamber 19, which is pro vided with an annular opening at its upper side through which material for separation may be fed. A feed device is provided Which may consist of a fixed annular hollow casting 20 of proper diameter and size and preferably having an annular opening or channel 21 between its downwardly-eXtended walls, as shown, adapted with some clearance to enter the opening to the feed-chamber, so that water and material flowed into the casting will pass down into the feed-chamber and through the holes or passages 22, through the upper head of the vessel, and into the latter and down into the separating-channel.

To the feed casting 20 is connected a branched pipe 23, which may have suitable valves (not shown) located in the respective branches. One of these branches is adapted to be connected with an agitating-tank or other suitable source of supply of material, pulverized ore or pulp, properly mixed with water for concentration, and serves to supply the treatment vessel with material for separation at the desired times. Its flow may be governed by a valve or other means that may be located in that particular branch. The

interior or hollow of the deflector through its I wall to the separating-channel, and the inneu surface of the wall of the deflector, more or,

less throughout the zone of these water-passages, is provided with preferably spiral grooves or channels 25, intersecting the waterpassages, and serve as means by which water introduced into the deflector will be more certainly guided and delivered into the said water-passages. These grooves or channels may be of any desired form suitable to secure a proper distribution of water to the passages. They are illustrated of somewhat different shape in the respective Figs. 1 and 3.

As means for introducing water into the deflector for removing middlings I provide hydraulic pipes 26, leading from a suitable source of supply of water under pressure, which pipes are secured to place to the base of the separator with its delivery end in position to spout or jet water between the spokes of the lower head of the treatment vessel up into the deflector, which water is then by the revolution of the deflector driven through the passages 24 against the middlings that may be accumulated in the lower part of the separating-channel, which is thereby dislodged or washed and forced out of the treatment vessel to discharge with and by the Water.

To stop or limit the upward travel of the water as it is being jetted up into the deflector, and thus limit the extent to which it can remove the middlings from the separating-surface, a plate or disk 27 is provided, as shown in Fig. l, threaded around the sleeve 28, and is susceptible through its screwthreads of upward and downward adjustment in the deflector. The position of the disk through its adjustment determines the distance, as above stated, to which the water may be jetted into the deflector, and consequently limits the zone of the perforations or passages through which the water can pass and the extent or distance from the discharge end of the separating-surface from which the middlings are in this way removed.

As an additional means for supplying water into the deflector, if desired, 1 provide a waterpipe 29, communicating with a suitablyshaped fixed water-feed casting 30, adapted to deliver comparatively clean water into the annular rotatable chamber 31 on the upper r r I l head of the treatment vessel. This chamber communicates with the hollow of the dcflector by means of the channels 32 through the upper head of the vessel and by means of the depending sleeve 33, so that water flowed at the desired times through the pipe 29 will pass into the deflector and down to and out of the water-passages in the wall of the deflector.

WVhile the separator is being operated to effect treatment of material by separation there must be a sufficient body of water kept in the vessel to insure that the separating-channel is full throughout its length, and the tendency of such water is to flow or back up into the passages 24 in the wall of the deflector, and from the fact that the deflector in most cases is revolved slower than the treatment vessel while separation is proceeding, and therefore a less intense centrifugal force is developed on the water in the passages in the wall of the deflector than is developed on the water in the separating-chainnel, the latter water tends to force the former back through its passages into thehollow of the deflector and to also flow therein,th us improperlyabstracting water and some material from the separating-channel, to the detriment of the operation. As means for checking or preventing this flow of water during the time or period of separation from the separating-channel into the hollow of the deflector I preferably enlarge or counterbore the inner end of the passages, as most clearly shown in enlarged detail, Fig. 2, and in this enlarged part insert a float 34: of suitable shape to properly work therein and provide on the end of the float a suitable cone-shaped portion 35, (indicated only in Fig. 2,) having a surface appropriate to contact against an appropriate contracted ledge 36, secured in the enlargement of the passage, so that the part 35, carried by the float, and the ledge 36 will form a valve for checking or stopping the flow of water through the passage from the separating-channel into the hollow of the deflector. The float will be moved and held to the closing position by the pressure of water from the separating-chaunel and will be carried away from such position by the action of centrifugal force when water recedes from the separating-channel sufficiently to become practically free from buoyant contact with the float in the passage, which condition prevails largely duringthe period of unloading or discharging concentrates, and especially during the removal of middlings just prior to discharge of concentrates. During this time that the float is in a moved-out position the part 35, which is actuated by it, is carried away from its seat on the ledge 36, and water which at this time is introduced into the hollow of the deflector may flow freely through the passages containing the float-and-valve mechanism and assist in first washing off and removmg the middlings and then the concentrates.

channel and openable by centrifugal force in absence of all ofsuch pressure or a suflicient partof it.

1 have supplied a small bracket 37, secured to engage a stem 38, attached to the float, as means for assisting to guide the float and keep it inbetter position.

As a modification of the means for carrying out the purpose of the float mechanism just described 1 have shown in detail, Fig. 3, one of the water-passages supplied with valve or stopper mechanism embodying a stem 39, carrying a stopper, seating part, or plug 40, in radial alinement, in position, and adapted to be carried outward by the action of centrifugal force and be seated over the end of its associate water-passage, thereby preventing the flow of water through the passage. As a guide to the stem 391 provide a suitable yoke or bracket 41, secured properly to place, as shown, and on the extended end of the stem, which is provided with screw-threads, I locate an adjustable nut orhead42. Around the stem and between the nut and yoke I provide a coiled spring 43. located and adapted to resist down closing of the stem and stopper. This spring is of requisite strength, and through movement of the nut 42 is adjusted to the requisite tension to force the stem and stopper back against the action of centrifugal force that is developed at a comparatively slow speed of rotation of the deflector and open the passage for flow of water from the deflector, yet, on the other hand, the resisting strength and adjustment of the spring is such as to yield to centrifugal force developed by a greater speed of rotation of the deflector or during the separating period and close down the stoppers, so that water will during this time be prevented from flowing through the passage. 7

While I prefer the arrangement of means herein illustrated and described for checking or stopping the flow of water from the separating-channel through the passages in the deflector-wall, I do not wish to confine myself to the said form of means herein de' scribed, as any suitable means to accomplish this may beemployed, and in some instances it may notbe required. Therefore in the drawings I. have shown only part of the passages provided with said means.

It is very difficult in practice to remove either niiddlings or concentrates from the separating-surface while the treatment vessel is being revolved at a high rate of speed, from the fact that the highly-developed centrifugal force by the rapid rotation of the l l l l l tation of the treatment vessel, and to accomplish this lhave provided brake mechanism and devised means for periodically, when desired, bringing such mechanism and the treatment vessel into relatively automatic operating relations and for again disengaging them when desired.

In the brake mechanism I employ two levers 44 (best shown in Fig. 4) of suitable size and shape and locate them on the top side of the base-housingoftheseparatorandfulcrum them at 45 near their large ends to the column/at the sides of the treatment vessel, and at these large ends of the levers I provide suitable friction or brake shoes 46, in position and adapted to contact, when desired, with the raised annular portion or ring 47 on the treatment vessel. The opposite end of these levers are preferably carried to the back side of the treatment vessel and terminate some little distance apart from each other, as illustrated in Fig. 4. Between these back ends of the levers I locate a hydraulic cylinder 48, loosely supported on a bracket 49 and having an extended pistonrod 50 from one end, which rod is pivoted to the end of one of the levers by the pin 51. The cylinder is secured to the end of the other lever through an extension on its end opposite to the piston-rod by a pin 52. l/Vithin the cylinder the piston-rod carries a suitable ordinary piston-head 50, Fig. 7, and properly communicating with the cylinder is a hydraulic pipe 53, through sections or portions 53, which are comparatively loosely threaded together to permit of moderate movement of the hydraulic cylinder. The pipe 53 is provided with a valve 54, operated by a fly-ball governor 55 of quite an ordinary suitable type, which governor, when desired, is driven through the agency of the several gears 56, and friction-wheels 57 and 58, respectively, when the latter wheel is in contact with the treatment vessel and the said vessel is being revolved at suificient speed to be regulated.

The frictionwheel 58 is supported by a hinged portion 59, which is manipulated by an attached extended lever 60 and is adapted to be swung by its lever toward and into contact with the treatment vessel when desired, as shown, thereby bringing the treatment vessel and brake mechanism into relatively automatic operating relations from the fact that the revolving vessel imparts rotation to governor, which in turn, when driven at an excess speed, opens its valve to supply water to the hydraulic cylinder for breaking down the speed of the treatment vessel until the latter reaches the speed predetermined by the relative proportion or adjustment of the several parts, or, when desired, the frictionwheel 58 may be swung in the reverse direction out of contact with the vessel in position illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 4, and thus disengage these parts from relatively automatic operating relations, which results in IZl stopping the rotation of the governor, closing the water-pressure off from the hydraulic cylinder, and releasing the brake from frictional contact with the vessel.

As illustrated best in Figs. 5 and 6 of thedrawings, the governor and its parts are supported by a casting 61, secured to the housing of the separator, and, as illustrated in Fig. 4:, the pipe 53 is provided with a branch pipe 62, having a relief-valve 63, adapted to be opened to the extent desired to afford relief or escape of water from the hydraulic cylinder, especially when through the operation of the governor the supply of water to the cylinder is discontinued.

When it is desired to remove middlings from the treatment vessel, its motive power is at least partly discontinued through any suitable mechanism controlling the motive power, (not shown,) and then by means of the lever the friction-wheel 58 is brought into rolling contact with the treatment vessel, which brings the governor into operation and its valve in control of the supply of water to the hydraulic cylinder, which in turn, actuated by the water and through its connection with the ends of the levers 44:, forces them apart and applies the brake and checks the motion of the treatment vessel. The valve 54: is adj usted with relation to the speed of the governor, so as to supply the water to the hydraulic cylinder for reducing the speed of the treatmentyessel as long as the vessel revolves above a predetermined speed, which speed is adjusted and intended to be the speed most appropriate for the vessel during the time of unloading or removing middlings and concentrates. It therefore follows that as long as the friction-wheel 58 remains in contact with the treatment vessel the latter will be automatically maintained or checked down to the desired low speed of rotation for best effecting removal of middlings and concentrates, and upon swinging the said friction-wheel 58 from operating contact with the vessel said vessel may be driven or revolved to a desired increased speed.

Suitable springs 64 may be provided, Fig. 4:, attached to the extended brackets 65 on the back one of the columns j and connected to the ends of the levers 44, adapted to pull the levers around and the brakes out of contact with the treatment vessel when the hydraulic cylinder is not forcing them in such contact.

Of course it will be understood that in con centration the heavier, richer, or cleaner parts of the concentrates will lodge and accumulate nearer the feed end of the separating-surface, and the middlings or less cleanly separated parts will lodge and accumulate nearer the discharge end of the concentratingsurface, which is throughout the area radially covered by the perforations or passages 24, in their differential rotation to the separating-surface.

In operation the treatment vessel is revolved at the desired speed by use of a belt that may be operated around its belt-surface 66, Fig. 1, and the deflector is also revolved by use of a belt around its pulley 67, but at a desired differential speed to that of the treatment vessel. Initially the deflector is moved up in the vessel to its fullest extent or to the small end of the vessel by its supporting-shaftf, thereby reducing the separating-channel to proper size for commencement of concentration or separation, and the separating period may commence. The material to be separated while in a finely-pulverized state and mixed with the desired amount of water to make it flow freely is then fed into the separator in quantities to fill the separating-channel and pro vide a sufficient body of water within the vessel, preferably from a suitable elevated agitator-tank (not shown) through its branch of the feedpipe 23 and passes into the treatment vessel and separating-channel through the agencies hereinabove described, the heavier parts or the concentrates lodging on the separating-surface and are retained there in the separating-channel nearer the feed end, while the lighter or waste part and the middlings are forced or driven along by the water within the separating-channel, the former to discharge and the latter to lodgment toward or nearer the discharge end of the separatingsurface. The washing or scouring action of the water which effects separation in the separating-channel is principally governed by the amount of differential rotation between the treatment vessel and the deflector, which is during concentration adjusted properly to wash off and move the lighter parts along to discharge, but yet to permit the heavier to lodge and accumulate on the separating-surface, as desired. As the operation proceeds and the accumulation or accretion forms in the channel the latter would soon become too much contracted orfilled if there were no compensating agency, and to meet this requirement during the concentrating or separating period the shaft carrying the deflector is slowly traveled longitudinally by the mechanism that has been explained, and with the shaft the deflector is also moved in like manner, and thereby, through the movement of the deflector toward the larger end of the treatment vessel, the separating-channel is gradually and uniformly increased in depth or size, which in turn is progressively being filled with the con centrates and middlings.

When the deflector has been drawn to its fullest extent toward the large end of the vessel, the feed of material for separation is discontinued. The frictioirwheel 58 is swung around in contact with the vessel, bringing the latter and the brake mechanism into relatively automatic operating relation. The

speed of the vessel is thus automatically reduced as desired through the agency of this brake mechanism hereinabove described. The

IIO

valves in the water-passages of the wall of the deflector are opened as the water recedes sufficiently from the separatingchannel, and clean water is then jetted into the deflector through the hydraulic pipes 26, which water flows or is driven through the passages in the deflector-wall into the lower portion or middling zone of the separating-channel, by which means middlings are first removed and discharged from the separator. This accomplished. clean water is introduced, by means of the .proper branch of the pipe 23, and the deflector, through the reverse endwise travel of its shaft, is again moved or traveled up to its initial position in the small end of the treatment vessel. The deflector during such upward travel, assisted by the water being introduced, removes to discharge the accumulated concentrates or most of them. The remainder soon follows before the speed of the treatment vessel is increased. Instead of employing the hydraulic pipes 26, or, if desired, to operate in conjunction with them, clean water may be first supplied by means of the pipe 29 and its associate parts.

After the removal of concentrates has been accomplished, the deflector then having reached its initial position, the brake mechanism may be disengaged from automatic operating relation with the treatment vessel by swinging the friction-wheel 58 from operating or rolling contact with the vessel, and the latter can again be raised to its speed appropriate for effecting concentration, and the separator is then again ready for feed of material for treatment.

I do not broadly claim the invention of a hollow deflector in a centrifugal separator having perforations or waterpassages through its wall for enabling separate removal of middlings; but

What I do claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is as follows:

1. In a centrifugal ore-separator, the combination of a rotatable treatment vessel, having a separating-surface therein, a hollow clifferentially-rotatable deflector within the vessel having water-passages through its walls,

and with grooves or depressions on the inner surface of the deflector-walls intersecting said passages, and a hydraulic pipe for jetting water into the discharge end of the deflector.

2. In a centrifugal ore-separator, the combination of a rotatable treatment vessel, having a separating-surface therein, a hollow differentially-rotatable deflector within the vessel, having water-passages through its walls, and with grooves or depressions on the inner surface of the deflector-walls intersecting said passages, a pipe for jetting water into the discharge end of said deflector, and means for limiting the longitudinal travel of the said Water in the deflector.

3. In a centrifugal ore-separator, the combination of a rotatable treatment vessel, having a separating-surface therein, a hollow differentially-rotatable deflector within the vessel, having water-passages through its walls, and with grooves or depressions on the inner surface of the deflector-walls intersecting said water-passages, means for jetting water into the deflector, and means adjustable longitudinally to the deflector for limiting the travel of the water jetted into the deflector.

4. In a centrifugal ore-separator adapted to alternate loading and then discharging of concentrates while in operation, the combination of a rotatable treatment vessel, having a separating-surface therein, a hollow differentiallyrotatable deflector Within the vessel, having water-passages through its walls, means for jetting water into the discharge end of said deflector and adjustable means for limiting the longitudinal travel of said water in the deflector.

5. In a centrifugal ore-separator, the combination of a rotatable treatment vessel having a separating-surface, a rotatable hollow deflector within the vessel, forming one wall of a separating-channel, the deflector provided with passages through its wall from its interior to the separating-channel, and means for checking flow of water from the separatingchannel through the said passages into the hollow of the deflector.

6. In a centrifugal ore-separator, the combination of a rotatable treatment vessel hav ing a separating-surface, a rotatable hollow deflector within the vessel, forming one wall of a separating-channel, the deflector provided with passages through its wall from its interior to the separating-channel, and automatic means for checking flow of water from the separating-channel through said passages into the hollow of the deflector, closable during the separating period and openable during the unloading period.

7. In a centrifugal ore-separator, the combination of a rotatable treatment vessel having a separating-surface, a rotatable hollow deflector within the vessel, forming one wall of a separating channel, automatic means closable by a comparative highly developed water-pressure from the separating-channel, and openable against a comparatively low developed water-pressure from the separatingchannel, whereby flow of water through said passage from the separating-channel into the deflector is substantially stopped during separation, and during the unloading period, water is permitted to flow through said passages from the hollow of the deflector into the separating-channel.

8. In a centrifugal ore-separator, the combination of a rotatable treatment vessel having a separating-surface, a rotatable hollow deflector within the vessel, forming one Wall of a separating-channel, passages communicating through the wall of the deflector from its interior to the separating-channel, a floatactuated means for checking the flow of water during separation from theseparating-channel to the interior of the deflector.

S). In a centrifugal ore-separator, the com bination of a rotatable treatment vessel having a separating-surface therein, a rotatable hollow deflector within the vessel, forming one wall of a separating-channel, the deflector having passages through its wall from its interior to the separating-channel, said passages enlarged at their inner end and provided with floats therein actuating means for substantially stopping flow of water through said passages into the deflector, during the separating period.

10. In a centrifugal ore-separator, the combination of a rotatable treatment vessel having a separating-Snrface therein, a rotatable hollow deflector within the vessel, forming one wall of a separating-channel, said deflector having passages communicating through its wall from its interior to the se fiarating-channel, and automatic means for checking the flow of water from the separating-channel into the hollow of the deflector, such means closable by pressure of water from the separatingchannel and openable upon recession of water from said passages.

11. In a centrifugal ore-separator, the combination of a rotatable treatment vessel having a separatingsurface therein, a rotatable hollow deflector within the vessel, forming one wall of a separatingchannel, said deflector having passages communicating through its wall from its interior to the separating-channel, and automatic means for checking theflow of water from the separating-channel into the hollow of the deflector, such means closable by pressure of Water from the separatingchannel and openable upon recession of water from said passages, means within the deflector for guiding water into said passages, and means for introducing water into the hollow of the deflector.

152. In a centrifugal ore-separator, the combination of a rotatable treatmentvessel having a separating-surface therein, a rotatable hollow deflector within the vessel, forming one Wall of a separating-channel, the deflector provided with passages through its wall from its interior to the separating-channel, means for checking flow of water from the separatingchannel through the said passages into the hollow of the deflector, means for jetting Water into the discharge end of said deflector, and means for limiting the longitudinal travel of the said water in the deflector.

13. In a centrifugal ore-separator, the combination of a rotatable treatment vessel having a separating-surface therein, a rotatable 1101- low deflector within the vessel, forming one wall of a separating-channel, the deflector provided with passages through its wall from its interior to the separating-channel, means for checking flow of water from the separatingchannel through the said passages into the hollow of the deflector, means for jetting water into the deflector, and means adjustable longitudinally to the deflector for limiting the travel of the water jetted into the deflector.

14%. In a centrifugal ore-se arator, the combination of a rotatable treatment vessel having a separating-surface therein, a rotatable hollow deflector within the vessel, forming one wall-of a separating-channel, auton'iatic means closable by a comparative highly developed water-pressure from the separating-channel, and openable against a comparatively low developed water-pressure from the separatingchannel, whereby flow of water through said passagesfrom the scparating-channel into the deflector is substantially stopped during separation, and during the unloading period water is permitted to flow through said passages from the hollow of the deflector into the separating-channel, and brake mechanism mounted on said separator adapted to periodically diminish the speed of rotation of the treatment vessel.

15. in a centrifugal ore-separator, the com bination of a rotatable treatment vessel having a separating-surface therein, a rotatable hollow deflector within the vessel, forming one wall of a separatingchannel,said deflector provided with passages communicating through its wall from its interior to the separatingchannel, a float-actuated means for substa-ir tially stopping flow of water during separation, from the separating-channel to the interior of the deflector, and brake mechanism mounted on said separator adapted to periodically diminish the speed of rotation of the treatment vessel.

16. In a centrifugal ore-separator adapted to alternate loading with concentrates and middlings and then discharging them while in operation, the combination of a rotatable treatment vessel having a separating-surface therein, a differentially-rotatable deflector within the vessel, and brake mechanism adapted to periodically diminish the speed of rotation of the treatment vessel, such mechanism governed by the speed of rotation of said vessel.

17. In a centrifugal ore-separator adapted to alternate loading with concentrates and middlings and then discharging them while in operation, the combination of a rotatable treatment vessel having a separating-surface therein, a differentiallyrotatable deflector Within the vessel, and brake mechanism adapted to periodically diminish the speed of. rotation of the treatment vessel, such mechanism automatically governed by the speed of rotation of said vessel.

18. In a centrifugal ore-separator adapted to alternate loading With concentrates and middlings and then discharging them while treatment vessel, having a separating-surface,

a differentially-rotatable deflector within the vessel, brake mechanism adapted to periodically diminish the speed of rotation of the treatment vessel, such mechanism governed by the speed of said vessel, and means for periodically engaging and disengaging the said mechanism and treatment vessel into and from relatively automatic operating relations.

19. In a centrifugal ore-separator adapted to alternate loading with concentrates and middlings and then discharging them while in operation, the combination of a rotatable treatment vessel having a separating-surface a ditferentially-rotatable deflector within the vessel, brake mechanism embodying friction devices adapted to be brought into contact with the vessel, and a, hydraulic cylinder con nected to effect movement of said devices, and means for supplying water to said hydraulic cylinder when desired.

20. In a centrifugal ore-separator adapted to alternate loading with concentrates and middlings and then discharging them while in operation, the combination of a rotatable treatment vessel having a separating-surface therein, a differentially rotatable deflector within the vessel, brake mechanism embodying devices carrying friction-surfaces located and adapted to be brought into contact with the vessel; a hydraulic cylinder connected to effect movement of said devices, means for supplying water when desired to said hydraulic cylinder and automatic means for regulating the supply of said Water, operated and governed by the speed of rotation of the treatment vessel.

21. In a centrifugal ore-separator adapted to alternate loading of concentrates and middllngs and then dlscharging them while in operation, the combination of a rotatable treat- 1 and adapted to be brought into contact with i the vessel, a hydraulic cylinder connected to effect movement of said levers; means for supplying water when desired to said hydraulic cylinder, means for regulating the supply of said water operated and governed by the speed of rotation of the treatment vessel, and means for engaging and disengaging said mechanism and vessel into and from relatively automatic operating relation.

22. In a centrifugal ore-separator adapted to alternate loading with concentrates and d ischarging them while in operation, the combination of a rotatable treatment vessel having a separating-surface and a differentiallyrotatable defiector within the vessel, brake mechanism having movable friction devices adapted to be periodically brought into frictional contact with friction-surfaces carried by said rotatable vessel, whereby the latter may be periodically decreased in speed, and means whereby the application of said friction devices is automatically governed by the speed of rotation of said vessel.

lVlLBUR H. PECK. \Vitnesses:

ADRIAN B. PEMBROKE, N. 'l. SHEPHERD. 

